10 Things To Learn About Cannabis Terpenes

If you’re wondering where the taste and scent of your favourite strain comes from, you have terpenes, or terpenoids, to thank for that. Cannabis terpenes are responsible for what you smell when you hold a nug close to your nose, or even from afar. 

Understanding cannabis terpenes will make you appreciate the cultivation process even more. In this post, we will discuss some important facts about terpenes that you need to know.

What Are Cannabis Terpenes and What Do They Do?

These naturally occurring substances are aromatic oils that provide the plants with its colours, distinctive flavours, and scent. Terpenes are the ones doing the work when you notice hints of different notes from a strain, such as berry, pine, mint, citrus, and so on. They are also the ones giving the bud its striking colours and hues, creating an attractiveness that we all know and fall for. 

Cannabis experts and budtenders claim that most consumers rely on THC content alone when it comes to choosing a strain. However, they suggest that focusing more on understanding certain terpene profiles can bring you closer to getting your preferred effects.

With that being said, here are 10 fast facts about this fascinating topic that should jumpstart your path to enlightenment! 

10 Things You Should Know About Cannabis Terpenes

1. Terpenoids may play a huge role in differentiating the effects of cannabis strains. Some terpene properties might offer relaxation and stress relief, while others promote mental clarity and focus. 
2. Over 100 cannabis terpenes and cannabinoids have been identified, and each flower has a unique set terpene composition and type. Common ones include Myrcene, which can make up as much as 65% of the total terpene profile in some selected strains. Others include pinene, linalool, and limonene.
3. Terpinolene is a cannabis terpene known to offer energizing effects and is dominant in certain strains such as Jack Herer and Sour Diesel. Found in about one in 10 plants, it has a pleasant floral aroma!
4. The effects of cannabis terpene profiles can change with the presence of other cannabis chemical compounds (such as THC or CBD), also known as the entourage effect.
5. Cannabis terpenes may add therapeutic properties to the strain, which can then aid in healing certain ailments or conditions along with other possible medicinal purposes. 
6. Terpenes provide depth to the art of cultivating cannabis, giving subtle differences that cannasseurs take pleasure in noting and perfecting.
7. In other plants, most terpenes protect themselves from harsh weather conditions and possible predators, such as insects. As for marijuana, researchers believe that cannabis terpenes are effective in classifying different products and strains by predicting their potential benefits. 
8. While some are considered psychoactive as they affect the brain, cannabis terpenes will not get you high. They are not intoxicating but may impact the effects of THC, the famous cannabinoid that provides the buzz. 
9. There are some studies suggesting that heat-based cannabis consumption methods could degrade synthetic terpenes. Stick to vaping at a low temperature or consuming edibles if you are after specific effects. 
10. Read the labels and check the freshness of a certain product if you want to find out more about its terpene profile. The three most dominant cannabis terpenes and their concentrations are indicated on the label, especially for lab-tested cannabis brands. Always go for the ones with the most recent package date, as cannabis terpenes tend to lose their intensity over time.

Cannabis Terpenes: An Overview 

While research surrounding cannabis terpenes is still limited, cannabis analysis labs are starting to test high terpene content, so consumers can have a better understanding of the set of effects that strains can produce. Cannabis terpenes carry unlimited combinations of potential synergistic experiences, allowing room for cannabis research development. 

It is also important to note that while cannabinoids and terpenes play a huge role in creating the effects of cannabis strains, your past experience on smoking and the setting in which you smoke, can also affect how you feel. 

While cannabis terpenes are just one part of the whole experience, understanding and learning about them can become an interesting way to pick and choose which products suit you most!

Looking for Bud With a High Terpene Content?

True North Cannabis Co. is Ontario’s largest retail cannabis shop, with 14 stores – and counting – all across the province. Our goal is to make quality cannabis products accessible and affordable to everyone, including those who wish to try strains with different terpene profiles! 

Visit any of our locations, or contact us to find out more about our offerings specific to each location. Talk to one of our experienced budtenders and ask them about terpene profiles and which ones can work well for your desired experience.